Earlier this year, I posted a “partial list of ‘best of’ lists where Vagabonding landed on the list,” which outlined where my debut book had appeared on various “best of travel” roundups in recent years. While this included a “10 Must Read Books for Every Travel Lover” list from India Today, I did not realize at the time just how popular my book had become in South Asia.
As is often the case in these kinds of “best of” roundups, I’d suspect that these lists all borrow from each other, and that appearing on one list greatly increases the chance that a given book will appear on others. Here are seven lists — all of them from the 2020s — where Vagabonding has appeared alongside travel classics in South Asian media roundups.
1) 9 book recommendations for people who love to travel (Times of India)
This 2024 list includes such titles as Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, Robert M. Pirsig Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, and Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild. It calls Vagabonding “a book for those interested in long-term travel. Potts gives advice on how to plan, finance, and embrace a life of travel.”
2) These books inspire travel (Travel + Leisure India)
This 2021 list of recommended travel books calls Vagabonding a “practical guide on taking off from your normal life – as much time as you may want to and experiencing the world the way you want to. It has tips to be able to handle situations better and be on the road while guiding you into choosing your destinations and every other detail that you may need to plan your trips well.”
3) Top travel books of all time (Outlook India)
This 2020 article notes that Vagabonding “talks about the art of long-term world travel and how a single trip can change one’s life forever. It also educates its readers on financing their travels, how to decide on destinations, adjusting oneself to live far from home and how to find opportunities to volunteer and work in other countries while travelling. Calling this book a must-read would be an understatement.”
4) 9 Books That Every Wanderer Should Read (India.com)
This 2024 list includes such titles as Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, David Grann’s Lost City of Z, and Alex Garland’s The Beach. It calls Vagabonding “a must-read for all those who are new to long-term traveling. The book is known to contain valuable insights, quotes and a lot of practical information.”
5) Reading Time: A list of books you should try out (Bangladesh Daily Star)
This 2020 article gives recommendations for romance, crime, horror, science fiction, fantasy, and spiritual books to read during pandemic lockdown. The “travel” list mentions Vagabonding alongside such titles as Bill Bryson’s Down Under, Paul Theroux’s Great Railway Bazaar, Eric Newby’s A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, Bruce Chatwin’s In Patagonia, and Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days.
6) 17 Travel Books That Will Inspire Your Next Trip (Times Now)
This 2024 article includes titles such as Wilfred Thesiger’s Arabian Sands, Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, Monisha Rajesh’s Around the World in 80 Trains, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, and Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. It calls Vagabonding “an eye-opening book about travel that challenges common ideas and encourages people to explore the world for longer periods. Potts’ writing is motivating, showing readers how travel can change their lives for the better and help them find true happiness and fulfillment. …A must-read for anyone dreaming of a journey filled with self-discovery, adventure, and personal growth.”
7) 9 must-read books for global explorers (YourStory India)
This 2024 roundup includes such travel books as Eric Weiner’s Geography of Bliss, Alain de Botton’s The Art of Travel, and Bruce Chatwin’s In Patagonia. Of Vagabonding, it notes: “Potts’ approach demystifies long-term travel and makes it accessible to everyone. This book is essential for those who dream of breaking free from conventional life and exploring the world on their own terms. It’s inspiring, practical, and deeply insightful.”
Share This
